Blacktip Reef Shark

As its name suggests, The Blacktip Reef shark features distinct black tips of the first dorsal fin and lower caudal fin lobes.

Blacktip Reef Shark

This powerful swimmer is well known for its tendency to enter incredibly shallow water and its distinctive dorsal fin spotted by divers protruding from the surface of the water.

Clever Camouflage

Like many other shark species, Blacktips have a unique camouflage feature called countershading, whereby they have a dark-coloured back and a light-coloured belly. When viewed from below, the blacktip blends in with the brightness of the sunny waters above and when viewed from above, the shark blends in with the dark ocean bottom. This crafty camouflage makes it difficult for predators and prey to see them.

Did you know?

The Blacktip Reef shark is one of the only sharks that can jump fully out of the water.

Blacktip Reef Shark Fast Facts:

Common Name: Blacktip Reef Shark

Scientific Name: Carcharhinus melanopterus

Habitat: Shallow water and coral reefs

Diet: Fish, crustaceans and octopus

Size: Up to 1.4m

Range: Central coast of Western Australia around the tropical north and to southern Queensland